Detroit — Dylan Larkin has only had one coach in his seven-year NHL career: Jeff Blashill.
So, when Larkin got the news Saturday that Blashill would not be retained by Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, it stung.
“It’s a tough feeling. You don’t want to see anyone get fired or lose their job,” Larkin said Tuesday in a season-ending press conference. “It’s just another emotion for a disappointing end to the season. We don’t want to continue to be in this spot much longer.
“Everyone heard what Steve had to say (Monday) and they’re looking for answers and it’s a bit of wake-up call for us again.”
Yzerman was complimentary of Blashill, of the way Blashill ran an organized and competitive program — but felt the team had regressed fundamentally, with and without the puck.
Larkin, too, felt Blashill did a fine job of keeping the roster together, despite some difficult losing seasons.
“He really kept this thing together and like everyone knows, he’s a great person,” Larkin said. “Coming to the rink, we knew what we would get and he was consistent with that, and I thank him for seven years.”
Larkin’s season ended two weeks before the final game, as he had core surgery to correct a nagging, lingering injury. Larkin said the first week after the surgery was difficult, but he will be ready for summer training and the start of training camp.
“I feel good,” Larkin said. “I’m moving now and upright and I’ve been doing treatment. I will be on the ice, hopefully, when I’m scheduled to be, and they give me the green light to go out there.”
There was progress this season from a team standpoint, Larkin said, but the continued losing is frustrating — though seeing the talent of rookies Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, along with the prospects on the way, makes it exciting.
“I believe we’re in a better spot today than we were a couple years ago,” Larkin said. “You draft players and for the last number of years, we’ve just been acquiring a lot of draft picks, and it gets frustrating when you don’t see (the fruits of trades). You lose NHL players and you don’t get anything in return.
“Now, you see the Lucas Raymonds and Mo Seiders come into our lineup and have an impact and it certainly gives me hope for the future because they’re real good players and people, high-character guys, and now they’re starting to come and it makes me excited and more optimistic about the future, absolutely.
“It’s difficult to be in this position again, yes, but I love being a Detroit Red Wing and I love the passion our fans brought to the rink this year. I love that we have a great group of young players and a great locker room that certainly has made the hard times much easier showing up to the rink and going to battle with good people.
“But, I don’t think anyone wants to be in this position forever, or much longer, certainly. There is frustration, but I do understand what Steve is trying to do and what the end goal is, and that’s to win the Stanley Cup for our fans and the city of Detroit.
“I believe in that, and I’m excited for the future.”
Larkin, 25, is heading into the final year of his five-year, $30.5 million contract that carries a $6.1 million annual cap hit. Larkin, a Waterford native who starred collegiately at Michigan, is confident that an extension will work out at some point.
As a veteran of the NHL, and seeing the business side of it, there is a sliver of understanding that you have to expect anything.
“I’m pretty confident,” Larkin said of agreeing on a new deal at some point. “I haven’t been in this position with Steve, so I’m excited to see what he has to say. I really would like to get something done. I don’t know if there’s been any conversation yet (with Larkin’s agent) but just waiting to hear.
“Just, as I’ve gotten older and more experienced in the league, I’ve really seen it firsthand with my past teammates and friends that I’ve really learned the business side of the game. I’ve been fortunate enough to be here, just finishing my seventh season and I really love being a Detroit Red Wing, and I love being the captain of the team and this team is going to do special things in the near future.
“I don’t really envision myself being anywhere else, but I also understand there’s a business side of hockey.”
Before the core surgery, Larkin was accumulating a career-best type of season, with 31 goals and 38 assists, for 69 points (in 71 games). Larkin felt he was more aggressive offensively this season and focused, despite a slew of injuries and off-ice issues.
“I felt, at times, I could take over a game and be a big difference-maker, and I didn’t have that feeling for a while, and that’s confidence,” Larkin said. “I really prepared as much as I could. After being injured last year (neck injury) as well, I was very prepared and did a few different things and it really worked out for me.”
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan